The penultimate local election preview looks at the five local authorities that make up most of the former county of Gwent or the Gwent Police force area – take your pick.
- Current Administration: Labour majority.
- Current Leader: Cllr. Anthony Hunt (Lab).
- Number of Seats (2022): 40 (-4).
- Current Seat Distribution: Labour (27), Independents & Non-Affiliated (12), Conservative (4), Vacant seat (1).
Previous Results:
- 1995 – Labour control.
- 1999 – Labour control.
- 2004 – Labour control.
- 2008 – No Overall Control.
- 2012 – Labour control.
- 2017 – Labour control.
Labour would have to have a very bad night to lose control of Torfaen, but they’ve had a few wobbles this term, including the resignation of two councillors over council tax. However, Labour did manage to gain a seat back in a by-election.
Following the 2017 election, there was an attempt to constitute a single Independent group, but over the term they gradually went their own way.
The Conservatives managed to secure a defection from the Independents then lose them in the same term, but are putting up a surprisingly large number of candidates – which is the case across most of Wales.
However, as Labour are the only party putting up a full slate, it would take something big on the part of the Independents and Conservatives to deny them another majority.
